Coin actuated mechanism



Aug. 30, 1966 w. A. ECKES 3,269,508

COIN ACTUATED MECHANISM Filed Jan. 19, 1965 :3 Sheets-Sheet l l 3 l I INVENT'OR. W/LL/AM ,4. EC/(ES A T TO/FNEV Aug. 30, 1966 w. A. ECKES COIN ACTUATED MECHANISM Filed Jan. 19, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. W/LL/AM A. ECKES ATTORNEY Aug. 30, 1966 w. A. ECKES 3,269,508

COIN ACTUATED MECHANISM Filed Jan. 19, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 F/G..7 (28 :1 5i e3 gal 64 62 INVENTOR. W/L L/AM ,4. ECKE 91%, Q WW ATTORNEY United States Patent M 3,269,508 COIN ACTUATED MECHANISM William A. Eelrcs, San Francisco, Calif., assignor to Service Distributors, Inc., San Francisco, Caiif. Filed .Ian. 19, 1965, Ser. No. 426,599 8 Qlaims. (Cl. 194-84) This invention relates to a new and improved coin actuated mechanism wherein a coin deposited in a coin slot comes to rest in a holder of a turntable. The coin when in position in the holder acts as a drive mechanism between the turntable and a clutch which, in turn, actuates a switch after deposit of one or any pre-sele-cted number of coins.

A principal feature of the present invention is the structure of the coin holder. More particularly, the holder is so shaped and arranged that improper size (bogus) coins are rejected. Thus if a bogus coin is too thick a coin slot in which proper coins are deposited will not receive the coin. Further, if the diameter of the bogus coin is too large, the slot will not accept the same. On the other hand, if the diameter of the bogus coin is smaller than the pre-selected size the structure hereinafter described in detail is such that the coin falls through the holding mechanism and is rejected. Further, if the coin is bogus in the sense of having a hole in the center (a washer type bogus coin being one of the more common slugs used by dishonest patrons in coin-operated machines) then the holder permits the washer to fall through the mechanism without the washer actuating the machine.

A further feature of the invention is the fact that when washers are deposited in the machine they are discarded immediately and do not jam the machine and, of course, do not actuate the machine so that a dishonest patron may profit.

A particular feature and advantage of the invention is the provision of a spring wire which is positioned a predetermined distance from a stop, which distance is slightly less than the diameter of the coin for which the mechanism is designed. Thus the coin comes to rest above the spring and the spring holds the coin in place against the stop while it is turned from an initial position to a final position in the operative movement of the turntable. As the coin reaches final position the spring is outwardly displaced which permits the coin to drop into the coin box. During the period of time when the coin is traveling from initial position to final position the coin actuates a clutch which in turn energizes the machine with which the mechanism is connected.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of a second spring in proximity to the path of travel of the coin so positioned and arranged that after the coin has traveled a portion of its angular travel it cannot be returned to initial position. Accordingly, the coin must be continued around the final position where it is deposited in the coin box. This arrangement prevents a single coin from being used to actuate the machine for a plurality of cycles.

Another feature of the invention is the use of a friction connection between the knob and turntable which normally drives the turntable but which slips when abnormal resistance is encountered and thus avoids damage to the machine.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan of the device.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation partly broken away in section.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view.

3,269,508 Patented August 30, 1966 FIGS. 4 and 5 are sectional views taken substantially along the lines 44 and 5-5 respectively of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a schematic, fragmentary elevational view.

FIG. 6A is a fragmentary view as viewed from the left of FIG. 6 with a proper coin in position.

FIG. 6B is a view similar to FIG. 6A, showing a washer in position.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views similar to FIG. 4 showing the turntable in other positions in its cycle of movement.

The present invention is a coin-actuated mechanism for machines, such as coin-operated washing, drying and dry-cleaning machines, wherein the patron inserts a preselected number of coins in a coin slot 11 in the top of casing 12, turns turntable 13 after the deposit of each coin through an angular travel of about and upon such deposit and turning of the turntable through the preselected number of coin deposits a switch 14 is energized which starts the machine for a cycle of its timing relay 16. Positioned immediately below the top of casing 12 of the cabinet is a compartment 15 having a top wall 17, bottom 18 and side walls 19, and an open end 21 in which a coin box 22 is received and suitably locked by means of a lock 23. Within compartment 15 is the coinactuating mechanism 24 wherein horizontal top wall 17 is formed with a coin opening 26 in registry with coin slot 11 in the top of casing 12. Positioned below and parallel to top plate 17 is bottom plate 27 likewise horizontally disposed and located relative to top plate 17 by spacers 28 and bolts 29. Bottom plate 27 is formed with an opening 31 below coin slot 11 and immediately behind opening 31 (in the forward turning of the mechanism) is a ramp 32 which projects downwardly so that any coin which tends to lodge below the level of bottom plate 27 is lifted when it engages ramp 32.

Horizontally rotatable immediately below top plate 17 is turntable 13 having a central spindle 33 with a knob 34 which projects up through casing 12 for manual engagement. As best shown in FIG. 3, knob 34 has a sleeve 20 having a peripheral flange which is located under casing 12 and surrounds the hole through which sleeve 20 extends. Roll pin 25 fits over spindle 33 and inside sleeve 20 and is caused to rotate therewith by pin 30 fitting through notches in the upper end of sleeve 20. Normally roll pin 25 turns spindle 33 by friction, but rotation is impeded, the two members may slip relative to each other, thus avoiding damage to the machine. Turntable 13 is generally circular but has two radially outwardly offset stops 36, 37 spaced approximately 120 apart, each of which engages one of the spacers 28 so as to limit angular movement of the turntable under actuation by knob 34. A garter spring 38 is wrapped around spindle boss 39 located below plate 17 and secured at one end to boss 39 and at the opposite end to a spacer 28, biasing turntable 13 to initial position. In initial position, slot 41 in turntable 13 is in registry with slot 11.

Boss 39 is horseshoe shaped in plan surrounding land fixed to spindle 33 with the opening of the horseshoe facing radially outward. Slot 41 extends inward of the periphery of turntable 13 in registry with the opening in boss 39. One leg 40 of boss 39 has nadial extension 42 having a downward slanted rest 44 having a radial lower edge directed below slot 11 in the position of rest of the turntable. A coin 46 deposited in the machine normally comes to rest with its lower edge slightly below and in engagement with rest 44. The other leg 43 of boss 39 is formed with a notch 45 in its top surface and is provided at its periphery with a tangential, downward slanted probe 47 which terminates spaced from the middle of rest 44 about the thickness of a coin 46. Probe 47 is positioned behind a coin held on rest 44 in the direction of turning of the turntable from initial to final position.

If a bogus coin 46a positioned on rest 44 has a central opening (in other words, is a washer), probe 47 is positioned for insertion into the opening. On the other hand, if the coin on rest 44 is solid, probe 47 prevents deflection of the coin from a position in engagement with rest 44 when the coin engages the clutch, as hereinafter described. Coin sizing spring 48 is imbedded in boss 39 and extends outwardly parallel to but spaced rearwardly of opening 41 to a bend 49 beyond the periphery of table 13 and then slants forwardly in a stretch 51. Spring 48 may be formed with a kink 55 in its imbedded portion to prevent displacement from proper position. Rest 44 is formed with a notch 52 in its periphery which receives and guides spring stretch 51 to prevent vertical displace- IIIGDJt of spring 49, and also limits inward movement thereof. The tip 53 of spring wire is bent slightly outwardly. The distance between spring 51 and the outer edge of coin gauge 50 is slightly less than the diameter of coin 46 for which the device is designed. Gauge 50 is radially adjustable for different size coins. Hence a normal coin will rest in the position shown in FIGS. 6 and 6A, wedged between leg 43 and spring 51 and in engagement with rest 44. It is apparent that outward displacement of spring 51 will increase the distance between spring 51 and leg 43 and thus permit a properly sized coin 46 to drop from its position of rest.

In normal operation, a properly size coin 46 will assume the position shown in FIGS. 6 and 6A of the accompanying drawings with its lower edge displaced below rest 44 and slightly above bottom plate 27. On the other hand, an undersize bogus coin 46a will drop through the device since the spacing between wire 51 and leg 43 does not impede its vertical movement.

A normal diameter coin 46 without a center hole and of the proper size is positioned against rest 44, approximately vertical to the direction of the rotation in the turntable 13 in its operative movement. However, if there is a hole in bogus coin 46a, probe 47 enters the hole. Since spring stretch 51 slants inwardly from corner 49, when probe 47 enters the hole in the coin the coin itself tends to slip upward-rearward and over notch 45 and to tilt so as to escape rest 44 and then fall oif probe 47 and down through opening 31 into a discharge chute. In other words, a coin with a hole in its center will fall out of the turntable before or at least at the commencement of the movement of turntable 13.

To prevent return of a coin after turntable 13 is moved beyond a pre-determined angular movement, a non-return device 61 is provided. Such device is formed of spring wire and its central helical coil 62 is wrapped around spacer 29 and has an inner finger 63 which projects in a direction opposite to the normal turning movement of turntable 13 at an elevation above wire 51. The distance between finger 63 and the axis of rotation of turntable 13 is such that a coin 46 normally held in holder 62 will, as the turntable is turned from initial toward final position, force finger 63 radially outwardly until it snaps into position behind coin 46, thereby preventing retraction of the coin beyond that point. The resiliency of finger 63 is occasioned by reason of the fact that leg 64 on the opposite end of coil 62 from finger 63 extends out to spacer 28a and is wrapped therearound. This limits turning of the coil 62 beyond a predetermined amount.

, Thus, as shown in FIG. 7, after ooin 46 reaches the position shown therein, its outer edge engages behind the end of finger 63, and finger 63 prevents return movement of the turntable until the coin has dropped out of turntable 13.

When the coin reaches the end of its movement, as shown in FIG. 8, tip 53 of wire 48 engages spacer 28 and is forced outwardly, its movement being guided by notch 52. As soon as it is displaced so that the distance between wire stretch 51 and leg 43 is greater than the diameter of coin 46, coin 46 drops out of its slot and into chute 66 which leads through aperture 67 to coin box 22.

It will be seen that in the turning movement of tumtable 13 with a coin 46 properly held in position in holder 42, the lower edge of the coin is slightly above the level of bottom plate 27. Clutch 71 is rotatively mounted for rotation about its shaft 72 above bottom plate 27, with its axis of rotation in registry with that of spindle 33. Clutch 71 has a plurality of radially projecting arms 73 spaced above bottom plate 27 at a level to be engaged by the lower edge of coin 46 held by probe 47. Hence turning of turntable 13 with the coin in position in the holder occasions a corresponding turning movement of clutch 71 as well as shaft 72 on which clutch 71 is mounted. Rest 44 and probe 47 engage the coin and resist any tendency to deflect from operative position.

A cam 74 is also mounted on shaft 72, preferably below bottom plate 27. The number of dwells 76 on cam 74 is subject to variation. If three arms 73 are formed on clutch 71 and a single low dwell 76 on cam 74, deposit of three coins in the coin slot and turning of turntable through three movements of each is required in order to turn cam 74:: sufficient angular travel (360) to energize the machine.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, one form of machine actuation employs a lever 81 pivotally mounted by pivot 82 on the machine. One end 83 of lever 81 is shaped as a cam follower to engage cam 74. Its other end is provided with a pawl 84 spring biased to engage second cam 86 loosely mounted on a shaft 87 parallel to shaft 72. Pawl 84 engages notch 88 of cam 86 to advance same. A second notch 90 is formed on cam 86 displaced about and of considerably greater depth than notch 88. Mounted in proximity to cam 86 is micro-switch 14 having a switch arm 89 positioned so that its outer end fits into notch 90, displacing arm 89 outward sufficiently to open switch 14 when cam 86 is in the position shown in FIG. 1. The depth of notch 88 is such that it does not permit arm 89 to deflect sufficiently to open switch 14. Cam 86 is preferably not driven directly by shaft 87. A radial pin 93 extends from shaft 87 and a vertical intersecting pin 94 from cam 86. The action of pawl 84 is to advance cam 86 from the o position of FIG. 1 a suflicient distance to close switch 14 and start motor 16. Motor 16 turns shafit 87 and pin 93 then engages pin 94 to turn cam 86 for 360", whereupon arm 89 fits into notch 90 and stops motor 16. Likewise connected to lever 81 is the actuating arm 91 of a counter 92 which counts the number of cycles for which the machine is energized.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail, by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a coin mechanism, a turntable, means for turning said turntable in a substantially horizontal plane about a vertical axis from a first position to a second position angularly remote from said first position, means biasing said turntable for rotation about said axis toward first position, said turntable formed with a coin receiving aperture extending radially of said turntable, means defining an upper coin slot above said turntable in vertical alignment with said coin aperture when said turntable is in first position, means defining a lower coin slot below said turntable in vertical alignment with said coin aperture when said turntable is in second position, an arm mounted on said turntable inside said coin aperture extending generally vertical and normal to a radius from said axis to said coin aperture, a rest on the lower end of said arm extending approximately radially and displaced from said coin aperture a slight distance in the direction of movement of said turntable from first toward second position, a probe depending from the bottom of said turntable from the side of said coin aperture opposite said rest in a direction toward said rest and terminating at an elevation spaced above said rest and below approximately the mid-point of said aperture, a coin gauging spring fixed at one end to said turntable and extending outward and then generally tangentially below said turntable, whereby a coin extending through said coin aperture and contacting both said rest and said probe is suspended by said spring.

2. A mechanism according to claim 1, in which said spring is closer to said axis on the side of said coin aperture on which said rest is located than on the side opposite thereto and said spring is lower than the lower end of said probe, whereby a washer type bogus coin is pentrated by said probe thereby permitting said coin to move along said probe and drop below said spring.

3. A mechanism according to claim 2, in which said spring engages said rest and said rest is formed with guide means locating the elevation of said spring and limiting inward movement of said spring.

4. A mechanism according to claim 3, in which the forward end of said spring adjacent said guide means bends outward which further comprises stationary means positioned to engage said forward end of said spring as said turntable reaches second position to flex said spring outward to permit a coin suspended by said spring to escape.

5. A mechanism according to claim 1, which further comprises a resilient member stationarily mounted between first and second positions below and outwardly of the perimeter of said turntable and having a finger pointed toward second position and projecting into the path of movement of a coin suspended by said spring, whereby as said coin passes said finger said finger is deflected outward to permit passage of said coin toward second position and then to return into said path to prevent return movement of a coin back to first position.

6. A mechanism according to claim 1, which further comprises a clutch horizontally rotatively' mounted about the same axis as said turntable but independently of said turntable, at least one radial arm on said clutch parallel to said turntable and spaced below but in proximity to the path of travel of said rest, whereby the lower edge of a coin suspended by said spring engages said radial arm as said turntable moves from first to second position and turns said clutch through a corresponding angular distance.

7. The mechanism of claim 6, which further comprises a first cam having at least one dwell turned by said clutch, a lever having a follower at one end engaging said first cam, means pivotally mounting said lever for pivotal movement by said first cam, a second cam having a dwell and a notch, a pawl on said lever opposite said follower and adapted to engage said notch to advance said second cam, a switch controlled by said second cam, and a motor energized by said switch, said second cam turned by said motor.

8. The mechanism of claim 1, in which said first mentioned means comprises a spindle on said turntable, a roll pin frictionally engaging said spindle, and a manually actuated knob turning said roll pin, whereby when turning of said turntable is abnormally impeded said roll pin slips relative to said spindle to avoid damage to said mechanism.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,215,374 9/1940 Long l94-84 2,736,415 2/1956 Hedges 19484 X EVON C. BLUNK, Primary Examiner.

S. H. TOLLBERG, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A COIN MECHANISM, A TURNTABLE MEANS FOR TURNING SAID TURNTABLE IN A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL PLANE ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS FROM A FIRST POSITION TO A SECOND POSITION ANGULARLY REMOTE FROM SAID FIRST POSITION, MEANS BIASING SAID TURNTABLE FOR ROTATION ABOUT SAID AXIS TOWARD FIRST POSITION, SAID TURNTABLE FORMED WITH A COIN RECEIVING APERTURE EXTENDING RADIALLY OF SAID TURNTABLE, MEANS DEFINING AN UPPER COIN SLOT ABOVE SAID TURNTABLE IN VERTICAL ALIGNMENT WITH SAID COIN APERTURE WHEN SAID TURNTABLE IS IN FIRST POSITION, MEANS DEFINING A LOWER COIN SLOT BELOW SAID TURNTABLE IN VERTICAL ALIGNMENT WITH SAID COIN APERTURE WHEN SAID TURNTABLE IS IN SECOND POSITION, AN ARM MOUNTED ON SAID TURNTABLE INSIDE SAID COIN APERTURE EXTENDING GENERALLY VERTICAL AND NORMAL TO A RADIUS FROM SAID AXIS TO SAID COIN APERTURE, A REST ON THE LOWER END OF SAID ARM EXTENDING APPROXIMATELY RADIALLY AND DISPLACED FROM SAID COIN APERTURE A SLIGHT DISTANCE IN THE DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF SAID TURNTABLE FROM FIRST TOWARD SECOND POSITION, A PROBE DEPENDING FROM THE BOTTOM OF SAID TURNTABLE FROM THE SIDE OF SAID COIN APERTURE OPPOSITE SIDE REST IN A DIRECTION TOWARD SAID REST AND TERMINATING AT AN ELEVATION SPACED ABOVE SAID RESTT AND BELOW APPROXIMATELY THE MID-POINT OF SAID APERTURE, A COIN GAUGING SPRING FIXED AT ONE END TO SAID TURNTABLE AND EXTENDING OUTWARD AND THEN GENERALLY TANGENTIALLY BELOW SAID TURNTABLE, WHEREBY A COIN EXTENDING THROUGH SAID COIN APERTURE AND CONTACTING BOTH SAID REST AND SAID PROBE IS SUSPENDED BY SAID SPRING. 